AUSTIN — Attorney General Ken Paxton's legal team is lacing up for a new fight with the special prosecutors pursuing charges against him — this time, over their choice of footwear.

Late last week, one of Paxton's lawyers subpoenaed the Texas Rangers for information on "gifts" the prosecutors might have received, specifically "commemorative badges" and cowboy boots.

Paxton's lawyers didn't respond to questions about why they wanted this information. Prosecutor Kent Schaffer said he thinks the subpoenas target him and fellow prosecutor Brian Wice, who each own a pair of Texas Rangers cowboy boots, specialty footwear made for the law enforcement agency and their friends by Fort Worth-based boot company Justin Brands.

Reached by phone Tuesday during his lunchtime, Schaffer shrugged off the subpoenas and questions over whether he and Wice should be concerned.

"We got a good chuckle out of them," Schaffer told The Dallas Morning News. "I'm more concerned whether I want mayonnaise or mustard on the roast beef sandwich I'm about to order."

Schaffer, Wice and Nicole DeBorde have spent the last year-and-a-half investigating and building a case against the attorney general, who faces three criminal fraud charges for allegedly violating state securities laws. The three special prosecutors are private practice lawyers by trade but represent the state of Texas while working on Paxton's case, meaning they're paid with taxpayer money.

But Schaffer said their unique footwear toes the line. He said a retired Ranger who is friendly with the prosecutors helped facilitate the purchase of the boots, which Schaffer said cost $325 each. He also insisted they weren't purchased with taxpayer money, nor were they a free gift from the Rangers, which The News could not independently confirm.

"The agency does not pay for it. The state does not use any funds," Schaffer said of the specialty boots.

"I promise you that I paid for it and not the state of Texas."

The Department of Public Safety confirmed the specialty boots, which are made to order and feature the Rangers' seal, are available to the Rangers and "others, including family members and professional associates." DPS did not provide a photograph of the boots; the prosecutors, too, declined to provide one.

Texas vs. Paxton (state criminal case)

Current status: Paxton is headed to trial May 1.

Charges: Two first-degree felonies of securities fraud and one of failing to register with the state as an investment adviser representative.

Allegations: Persuaded others to invest in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that he received a commission for doing so. Received a commission from people he steered to his investment adviser without registering with the state as the adviser's "representative."

Paxton is the sole defendant. The state is represented by special prosecutors Brian Wice, Kent Schaffer and Nicole DeBorde.

Possible sentences: Five to 99 years plus a fine of not more than $10,000 for each first-degree felony charge; two to 10 years plus a fine of not more than $10,000 for the third-degree felony charge.

Current status: A federal judge threw out the charges in October 2016 but gave the SEC the chance to refile them with changes. The SEC refiled the charges the same month.

Charges: Civil securities fraud.

Allegations: Same as in state criminal case.

Paxton and ex-Servergy CEO William E. Mapp III are both defendants. Caleb White -- who faced allegations similar to those faced by Paxton -- and Servergy itself were also defendants, but both settled with the SEC by repaying a combined $260,000 in penalties.

Possible consequences: The return of any "ill-gotten gains or unjust enrichment."